Botanical essences offer a gentle yet profound way to support emotional well-being. Imbued with the energetic current of flowers, leaves, or other plant parts, these natural remedies can support us as we move through the various landscapes of the grief process.

Creating botanical essences involves placing fresh plant parts, such as flowers, leaves, bark, or seeds, in spring water, under the light of the sun or moon. Like a cyanotype, or sun print, the form and elemental message of the plant is captured by the light, into the memory of water. The water is then filtered so that no plant parts remain, and then fixed and preserved with alcohol. This is known as the mother essence, from which further dilutions are created. Since it contains no measurable traces of the plant, botanical essences are safe for anyone to use.*

Essences can be taken daily and several times a day using any of the following methods. Essences reveal themselves over time, so it can be helpful to develop a relationship with your essence for up to 1 month, focusing on a specific intention.

1. Transdermal: Add 3 drops to a cotton ball and rub on the soles of your feet, or other area of skin

2. Add a few drops to bath water

3. Sublingual: 3 drops under the tongue

4. Add 3 drops to tea. If you are sensitive to alcohol, this is a good way to administer essences

5. Add a few drops to your baking ingredients before baking

6. Add to a hydrosol or diffuser

7. Incorporate into your devotional practices. For instance, you can place essences at your altar and in offerings

8. Anoint talismans and amulets

All of The Moon Unfolded essences are crafted from plants I have been growing and harvesting for the past 20 years, without pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers, in my garden in the Hudson Valley of New York. Growing my own plants gives me the benefit of close proximity. I am able to observe them closely and harvest them intentionally at various stages of the life cycle, from bud to seed.